Campos: I'll Return To Mls--but Not Soon

June 09, 1999|By Bob Foltman, Tribune Staff Writer.

Jorge Campos doesn't know when or where, but he is certain he will play again in Major League Soccer.

"I like MLS," Campos said Tuesday after a light training session with the Mexican national team at Hinsdale Central High School. Campos will lead Mexico against Argentina in a friendly Wednesday night at Soldier Field as both teams prepare for the Copa America tournament.

Campos conceded that he probably won't be with an MLS team this season because of a heavy schedule with the national team. Mexico will travel to South Korea for a tournament, then to Paraguay for Copa America before playing host to the Confederations Cup at the end of July.

"MLS understands my situation," Campos said. "They said, `Go play with the national team.' They know it's important. It's difficult for me and it's difficult for them because I have a contract and I want to play in MLS."

Campos is scheduled to meet Wednesday with MLS Commissioner Doug Logan to discuss his status. Logan said he expects the goalkeeper, still the biggest gate attraction the league has, to be playing in MLS next year.

"The problem is the transfer," Campos said. "If I go to another team in Mexico and they pay (his salary), then I'll play there for maybe two or three years and then come live here and play in MLS."

MLS had an agreement with the Mexican team Pumas that Campos would join the league once the Mexican season ended and remain in MLS until its season was over.

Campos said he wasn't upset about the way events unfolded in his brief stay with the Fire last season. Unable to win a starting spot, he ended up returning to Pumas before the start of the MLS playoffs. Campos did acknowledge that he was sorry he couldn't be part of the championship. "I'm a champion," he said with a laugh.

Fire General Manager Peter Wilt said the team would present Campos with a championship ring Wednesday. Fans attending Wednesday's match may be in for another treat--Campos playing forward.

"(Campos) is an incredible guy," Mexican coach Manuel Lapuente said. "I think it's possible he can play forward (Wednesday). He just loves to play. That's the kind of player we have to have."